WWE Raw’s latest edition served as the go-home show for the Survivor Series: WarGames event, and it felt disjointed, reflecting the chaotic theme of “war.” The matchups and segments led to some predictable outcomes, particularly concerning the looming threats from Brock Lesnar and the ongoing tension between key superstars.
The show kicked off with a build-up for Roman Reigns as he hinted at a major title pursuit, likely aiming for gold at WrestleMania. Despite CM Punk presenting himself as a fresh challenger, his prior interactions with Seth Rollins diminished that novelty. This was underscored by a verbal skirmish where Punk questioned Reigns’ loyalty and integrity, reminding audiences that Reigns’ character is still steeped in heel dynamics, despite any attempts to align him with the face side.
The main event featured The Usos against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre, where Paul managed to secure the victory amidst outside chaos and a backdrop of expected interference from Lesnar, who ultimately did not play a direct role in the match. This encounter continued the trend of the evening, where external conflicts dominated the narrative rather than a focus on the match itself.
In a moment of levity, Brock Lesnar’s dramatic entrance ended on a humorous note as he slipped on the ramp, bringing a lighthearted element to an otherwise intense setting. However, this was overshadowed by disappointing booking decisions. Gunther advanced through a tournament match against Carmelo Hayes, where many felt Hayes, a rising star, deserved a more significant push rather than a loss that would only serve to stall his momentum.
The night also saw unfortunate circumstances arise when Penta was reportedly injured during a commercial break, which led to Solo Sikoa getting a win by default. Fans are left hoping for a swift recovery for Penta, who has built a strong fanbase within the WWE universe.
Other segments included Dominik Mysterio attempting heel tactics against John Cena, who made a surprise appearance to offer a few taunts ahead of their rematch at Survivor Series. Despite Mysterio’s efforts to engage the audience, the segment felt lackluster and uninspired. Meanwhile, women’s teams engaged in a brawl that further diluted their individual storylines, failing to captivate the audience.
Despite some bright spots, WWE Raw’s chaotic nature and inconsistent storytelling led to a lackluster show with a final score of 5 out of 10. The lead-up to Survivor Series is critical, and fans are hopeful for a better execution of storylines as the event approaches, aiming for more engaging matches and character development. Overall, the anticipation remains for what could unfold at Survivor Series, with the hope that these narratives can coalesce into a thrilling event.